English: Everything below the stairway leading up to the Omote-mon. The path leads up a gentle slope and passes under a tall torii (Ichi-no-torii). To the left stands a five-story pagoda. The path leads straight past the pagoda to the foot of a steep stone starway. At the top stands the Outer Gate (Omote-mon).

English: Everything from Omote-mon to stairway leading up to Yomei-mon, including the Sacred Stable with the carvings of the Three Wise Monkeys and many lanterns.

The Outer Gate, or Omote-mon, stands at the top of the first staircase. Statues of the guardian gods occupy the niches to the left and right on the outside. On the inside are statues of lions. The path goes straight for a short distance. Stone lanterns stand to both sides.

The path turns left toward the Sacred Stable. Across the path are three storehouses. The one nearest the Outer Gate is the Shimojinko; next is the Nakajinko; the last is the Kamijinko. Carvings of elephants and lions decorate the gables of the Kamijinko. These animals were unknown in Japan, and the sculptor had to imagine them. Also in this courtyard are a bronze torii (Ni-no-torii) and the Kyōzō, or scripture repository.

A-Un statues in Outer Gate(Un reversed left to right)

Statue of A (Niō) in niche on outer facade of Outer Gate

Statue of A (Niō) in niche on outer facade of Outer Gate

Statue of A (Niō) in niche on outer facade of Outer Gate

Statue of Un (Niō) in niche on outer facade of Outer Gate

The same statue in 1993.

Outer Gate viewed from inside shrine

Chinese Lion in niche on inner facade of Outer Gate

Chinese Lion in niche on inner facade of Outer Gate

Decoration in Outer Gate

Shimojinko. The Outer Gate is to the right; the Nakajinko is to the left.

Nakajinko. The Shimojinko is to the right; the Kamijinko to the left.

Kamijinko. Beyond it is the Bell Tower.

Kamijinko

Lion and elephant carvings beneath roof. Kamijinko.

Lion and elephant carvings beneath roof. Kamijinko. Behind the photographer is the Sacred Stable with the carvings of the monkeys.

English: After walking under the bronze torii, the visitor climbs two of stairs going up toward the Yomeimon. Looking back from the top of the first set of stairs, one can see the sacred stable to the left, the bronze torii, and the suibansha to the right.

View looking back from top of first set of stairs. The bronze torii is flanked by a minor building to the left and beyond it the sacred stable, and the Suibansha on the right. Out of sight to the left are the storehouses: Kamijinko, and beyond it, Nakajinko and Shimojinko. Out of sight to the right is the Kyōzō.

English: The sacred stable stands to the left of the path. Panels above eye level have carvings of monkeys, including one especially famous panel with the wise monkeys that hear, speak, and see no evil.

Sacred stable. The carvings of the monkeys are visible.

Panoramic view of carvings

English: After passing the stable, the path turns right. It leads past the covered cistern (mizuya) where visitors wash. Next is a metal torii, followed by another steep staircase.

English: Two towers flank the path at the top of the stairs: the bell tower to the right, and the drum tower to the left. The Yakushido (or Honjido) is beyond the drum tower to the left. It has the "crying dragon" painting. Ahead is another stairway, and at the top, the Yomeimon.

Looking back from the top of the stairway at the Bell Tower level, one sees this komainu and beyond it the sacred stable.

English: The Yomeimon is a famous gate within the precincts of the shrine. On the outside of the gate, to the left and right, are statues of archers. The walls on both sides have panels with carvings of birds and trees in deep relief. On the inside of the gate, to the left and right, are statues of lions. Pillars inside and outside are painted white and carved with the same motif. One pillar has the motif upside-down.

Yōmeimon circa 1860-1900

Yōmeimon at Toshogu

Yōmeimon (view from outside the gate)

View of Yōmeimon from inner courtyard looking out

View of Yōmeimon looking in

Yōmeimon (view from within the inner courtyard)

Carving of lion on Yōmeimon (inside)

Carvings alongside Yōmeimon (outer facade)

Detail of carving on Yōmeimon(outer facade)

Joinery under roof of Yōmeimon

Decoration above Yōmeimon

Decoration on outer facade of Yōmeimon above the gate

Carvings in Yōmeimon

Carvings in Yōmeimon

Statue of lion, rear (interior) of Yōmeimon

Archer statue (outside)

Archer (outside, right)

Pillar with upside-down motif. A visitor rubs it for good luck. (Inside of Yōmeimon.)

English: Everything in or near the courtyard within the Yomei-mon, prior to entering the inner shrine. The Yomeimon is the gate to the inner courtyard. The visitor who passes the Yomeimon sees, in this courtyard, to the left, is a building (the Shin'yosha, 神輿舎) housing the mikoshi, portable shrines. Ahead is the Chinese Gate, or Karamon, with figures in white. Through it is visible the Oratory, or Haiden. Beyond that is the Main Hall, the Honden.

English: The Sleeping Cat, Nemurineko, is a carving above a gate. It is attributed to the sculptor Hidari Jingoro. After passing through the Sakashitamon, visitors ascend the hundreds of stone stairs, amid the towering cryptomeria trees, to the inner sanctuary. At the top of the stairway is a torii with calligraphy by Emperor Go-Mizunoo.